Andrew Stubbs Offers His Journey of Faith at Our Lenten Service
We have been gathering each Wednesday evening to prepare for Easter, and an important part of each Lenten service has been a member's sharing his or her journey of faith. On February 6th, Chuck Curtis offered his story, and on February 20th, Andrew Stubbs offered his. These inspiring stories continue in the coming weeks, with the following speakers:
February 27 - Lee Kirkpatrick
March 5 - Loyda Marquez
March 12 - Susan Croshaw
March 20 - A Healing Service on Maundy Thursday (no Wednesday service)

Soon we will begin our 140th anniversary year. 
We are hopeful of telling about some of our members, new and old.  We need a few more interviewers.  No need to be a journalist or famous writer, just a willing pen.  Call Roberta MacKenzie 964-9339 with your willingness.

COMING EVENTS

Adult Education in Anderson Lounge at 9:00 a.m.

        Sundays, February 24 – March 16

                “The Bible and Handel’s Messiah” – Esther Bennett

Mid-week Worship during Lent

        Wednesdays, February 27 - March 12, 7:00 p.m. in the Chapel.

        Maundy Thursday, March 20,        7:00 p.m. in the Chapel

Senior Activity Program

        Friday, February 29                       10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

        Tom Reeg: Santa Barbara Rehabilitation Institute; + Catch Phrase!

Annual Women’s Retreat

        Saturday, March 1                           9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m..

        Speaker: Eugenia Gamble. $30 includes lunch

        Pick up a registration form today.

Faith and Literature

        Wednesday, March 5                      9:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

        Women’s reading group will discuss short stories pg. 3-20

        Anderson Lounge. Call Loyda for information 687-4995

Daylight Saving Time Begins

        Sunday, March 9                         set clocks forward

Youth Pancake Breakfast and Auction

        Sunday, March 9                         10:00 & 11:45 a.m.

        Support our Youth Mission Trip. Breakfast: $6.00 per person

        Watch for the auction to start in the weeks prior to the breakfast.

        Bid generously, this is a fundraiser!

Good Friday Ecumenical Worship

        Friday, March 21,                               noon in the Sanctuary

        Ministers from various churches will be reflecting on

        the Seven Last Words of Jesus from the Cross. Please join us.

EASTER SUNDAY FAMILY WORSHIP

        Sunday, March 23                        8:30, 9:00 & 10:30 a.m.

        He lives! Celebrate Christ’s Resurrection with the family of God.

        Invite a friend or neighbor to join us on this special day.

Presbycamp Spring Break

        March 24- - 28                            9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

        Call Susan Croshaw for information 687-0754 ext. 115

LIFE OF THE CHURCH

DEACONS OFFERING - Next Sunday the loose plate offering will go to the Deacon’s  Fund to help support their ministry of caring for those in our community who are in need of assistance.

EUGENIA GAMBLE IS COMING! Today is the last chance to register for the Annual Women’s Retreat, Saturday, March 1, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. here at FPC. The cost is only $30 and includes all materials and a fabulous lunch. The theme is “Spinning the Sacred Yarn,” and we’ll learn from Eugenia all about stories from the Bible and how they connect with the stories of our own lives. Sign up TODAY on the Patio or call 687-0754 by noon on Monday, February 25.

140 YEARS IN MINISTRY IN SANTA BARBARA! Soon we will begin our 140th anniversary year. We hope to tell about some of our members, new and old. We need a few more interviewers. No need to be a journalist or famous writer, just a willing pen. Call Roberta MacKenzie 964-9339 with your willingness.

YOUR PARISH NURSE has available for viewing the Family and Friends CPR home kit endorsed by the American Heart Association. February is Heart Month and Heart Disease is the number one killer of men and women. This program was created for anyone who wants to learn CPR and does not need a course completion card in CPR. Intended for home instruction the kit contains a mini Annie for practice resuscitation, an instruction book, and a practice along DVD. Come view the product on the patio today. Learn CPR skills to help a family member or a friend . Pedometers are available this Sunday for $10. See Sharon Troll and step your way into fitness and better health in 2008.

FPC "FEBRUARY" STEP-A-THON Join in as we step forward into 2008 with our pedometers and make walking a commitment to your heath and wellness routine. Mark your total steps each week on the Step-A-Thon Chart in the reception office. Over the next four weeks we’ll see how our steps have improved and how you can be on your way to better health. You may call Sharon Troll at 687-0754, ext. 103 for more information.

HOPE IN SANTA BARBARA The Mission Committee is excited to invite you to hear the message of the life changing work going on at the Santa Barbara Rescue Mission for those in our community who are homeless and for those crippled with addictions. Join us in visiting this inspiring place that our own church mission fund supports followed by a rare tour of the new Bethel House – a new residential treatment center for women run by the Rescue Mission. Wednesday, March 12 at 11:00 a.m. RSVP to Juleine (687-0754, x 110) Transportation from church available at 10:30 a.m. by reservation .

THE PRAYER CHAIN is available to pray for your needs. In the Narthex and Fireside Lounge are Prayer Boxes provided by the Congregational Care Ministry. Please fill out a request form and leave it in the box, email Chuck at: ccurtis@fpcsb.org or call 687-0754, x 102. All prayer requests are kept confidential .

Monthly Financial Report

Our church is dependent upon our pledges and donations to do God’s work in our congregation, community and the world. As has been reported in recent Congregational meetings and in the annual report, our expenses have exceeded our income for the past several years. The following report will be provided monthly to assure that members of the congregation are aware of the need for additional operating income in the near future. In the meantime, shortfalls in income from donations and other sources will be covered by the use of reserve funds which have been built up over previous years.

Church Operating Fund*, January 2008

        Income: $   71,510

        Expenses:       $ 102,071

        Difference:     $(  30,561)

*Does not include income or expenses of the Early Childhood Center

PRAYER AND INTERCESSION

Pray for:

·       Missionaries John and Ann Wheeler-Waddell in Ethiopia

·       Those who are sick, hospitalized or recovering and need our support

·       Our military personnel serving in the Middle East: Marcus Thoma (nephew of Margaret Brown); Andrew Gaston; 2 n d Lt. Gregory Adams (step-grandson of Earle and Susan Howey); Capt. Sean Gardner, grandson of Jeannette Klingler; Chaplain's Asst. Jonathon Marroquin (fiancé of Jennifer Hauser's sister); Kyle Lauth (grandson of Dolores Crisp); Jason Bang (grandson of Margie Bang); Capt. Paul Dyer (brother of Stephanie Walstad); the people of the Middle East, the pastors and people of the churches and for all those working for peace in Iraq and around the world

·       Congregation and staff at First Presbyterian Church of Lompoc Pastor Julia Leeth and retired minister Ernest Freund